Google and Telstra both Plan to Disrupt Learning and University Qualifications. While its not a new idea to train and accredit specific skills, Google’s recent announcement has people taking notice. That is because it is disruptive of the traditional career path from university or college. Its more accessible, it is faster and it is much cheaper to graduate. It is also providing qualifications that are recognised by over 50 US employers.
“Nearly two-thirds of all new jobs created since 2010 require either high-level or medium-level digital skills”
Kent Walker, Google SVP of Global Affairs 13th July 2020
The IT Certificate Employer Consortium includes US employers like Walmart, Hulu, Sprint and of course Google. It is an interesting model for building local skills and competencies. Google claims its certificate programs are “designed to help people land jobs at any company, across any sector”. Google have partnered with hundreds of schools and colleges across America to provide the course. They are also providing hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities for people who have successfully completed the Google Career Certificate.
On the same day that Google was announcing how they were extending their training accreditation program Grow.Google. Telstra was announcing a different approach based on partnerships with five Australian Universities; (University of Melbourne, RMIT, University of Sydney, UTS Sydney, UNSW Sydney).
Telstra have committed $5.14m in a new facility as part of the Melbourne Connect Technology and Innovation Precinct. The partnership includes 10 technology and innovation scholarships for University of Melbourne students. It also includes a micro-credential program that will train and accredit Telstra employees and other people. The initial program will focus on Software Defined Networking, Data Analytics and Machine Learning.
Having a highly-skilled, diverse and practically trained technology workforce is critical to the success of Telstra and of the nation. And yet, we have an estimated shortfall of 60,000 skilled ICT workers in Australia over the next five years. More of these skills must be developed locally.
Alex Badenoch, Group Executive Transformation, Communications and People 13th July 2020
Key Takeaways
- Google and Telstra both Plan to Disrupt Learning and University Qualifications
- Companies are looking to rapidly grow the pipeline of available, skilled and qualified talent.
- Both the Grow.Google and Telstra programs are looking at Micro Accreditation as an industry recognised credential. Rather than only recognising formal degrees.
- The disruption to the way people learn and are accredited for learning (including recognised prior learning) is creating competition and innovation.
based on an article from Inc. by Justin Bariso Published 24th August 2020 https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/google-career-certificates-plan-disrupt-college-degree-university-genius.html see also https://exchange.telstra.com.au/investing-in-australias-future-technology-talent/ and https://www.uts.edu.au/news/tech-design/teaming-telstra-address-post-covid-skills-gap